Wrapping up today's intrasquad game

SARASOTA, Fla. - A scoreless tie in an intrasquad game still held a certain measure of significance for a few players beyond facing live pitching and hitting on the first day of March.

Matt Wieters caught for the first time since May, though he didn't make any throws to second base. Manny Machado batted for the first time since Aug. 11 and lined out to center field in his first trip to the plate.

Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia was so impressive in his one inning of work, a few players moved from the bench to the dugout railing to watch him throw. Garcia struck out Nolan Reimold and Matt Tuiasosopo.

Zach Britton induced three ground balls from the three batters he faced.

"That was Zach. Good," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Wieters caught for two innings and got a third at-bat as the designated hitter. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

Wieters will return to the lineup for the March 4 home exhibition opener against the Tigers, serving as the designated hitter. He won't travel to Lakeland, Fla., on the previous day.

The bus also will be missing Machado, Adam Jones, Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy and Steve Pearce. Caleb Joseph won't make any trips until his son is born. Walker Everett Joseph was due today.

"I know you all caught it," Showalter said. "The last time Manny was in a batter's box facing live pitching was the knee injury. I was sitting there watching and thinking what must be going through his head. Maybe nothing. I don't know.

"I take it in. It's a big deal. Matt squatting down there the first time. It was a long road for both of them."

The plan still calls for Wieters to make his first exhibition start behind the plate on March 17.

As for Garcia, he's trying to make the jump from low Single-A ball to the majors. His perfect inning today included the two strikeouts and a fly ball from Ryan Lavarnway.

"It felt good," said Garcia, 22, acquired from the Astros after being the fourth player taken in the Rule 5 draft. "That's what you work for, throwing against those guys. But definitely was a thrill. I was pretty nervous out there, but it was awesome. Just first time really facing big hitters like that."

Garcia's fastball was clocked in the mid-90s. He was primarily a starter in the past before undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in 2013, and the move to the bullpen has added to his velocity.

"Normally, I come into spring on kind of a starting routine, so actually I wouldn't think it was that high today, but it's good to know," Garcia said.

Garcia won't let the camp attention distract him.

"To be honest, I try not to think about it too much. Just trying to stay even, not get too high or too low," he said.

"I'm trying to take this spring training and just learn as much as possible. The goal is to hopefully break with the team, but if not, just try to take in as much as I can."

Asked for the most important lesson so far, Garcia replied, "Stay in the now. That seems to be the big thing everyone talks about. Don't dwell on too much of what you've done and try not to think about what's ahead of you too much. Just stay in the now."

Joseph caught Garcia today and was impressed by the kid's velocity and delivery.

"It felt hard, but this early on my gauge is really off, so it could have been 99 or it could have been 209," Joseph said. "Yeah, he threw well, threw some good sliders. I think his fastball command, he probably wants it to be a little bit better, but I think it was a good first outing for him, kind of getting those competitive juices flowing.

"It's an easy, effortless delivery and those are the kinds that really sneak up on you as a hitter, and he's definitely got that. For kind of a younger guy, those are the things that are impressive.

"He got Nolan with a 3-2 slider and just absolutely froze him. His velocity kind of gets in the hitters' minds, so when you get into a fastball count and throw a slider in there, you get them to buckle a little bit."

Showalter said Garcia is the type of pitcher who gives the impression that he can reach back for a little extra if the situation calls for it.

"Garcia, you always feel like he can go to another level if he needs to," Showalter said. "He got a couple of our guys from the bench up to the top step. (Delivery) was pretty easy, too. It wasn't max effort. That's why I say I think he's one of those guys who can go get a little more if he needs to.

"It's still obviously very early. Some people think it's a stretch to take guys out of A-ball."

Showalter was pleased with how today's game unfolded.

"That was fun," he said. "A good day today. What was bad today? Anything? How many plays did (Jonathan) Schoop have? Had to be close to 10.

"You'd have to be picky to find anything wrong. I thought Hunter (Harvey) presented himself well. I thought (Mark) Hendrickson was good. It was good to get that out of the way. Got Matt out there catching.

"Mark got a lot of right-handed hitters. I said, 'You're a right-handed specialist, I guess.' "

Showalter was asked about the backup catcher competition and paid a compliment to Baltimore native Steve Clevenger, who broke camp with the team last year.

"I was thinking today how good he looked," Showalter said. "It's going to be a tough call. Stevie's doing well. He's come in in good shape and nobody questions his ability to hit. And athletically, he's gifted as a catcher. If he can just get it all together.

"I feel good that we're going to come out of here with a good catching situation, which means here and in Norfolk. We're a long way away from making that decision, but I like our choices and Steve's a good one."